Another discussion topic .... and I know we all have opinions so please share them
Getting a new boat ... 2015 Lund Crossover with a 150 Merc 4 Stroke .....
Here is the question?
Get a kicker motor installed with the controls ...... or get a trolling plate?
Thanks in Advance for the opinions
[signature]
Get kicker motor . Two reasons , a lot better on gas and if something happens to your big motor you can still get in .
[signature]
+1
[quote curt69]Get kicker motor . Two reasons , a lot better on gas and if something happens to your big motor you can still get in .[/quote]
[signature]
Thanks to both of you for the inputs ... greatly appreciated, and makes sense
[signature]
If you have a 24 volt system dedicated to the trolling motor you might consider the I-Pilot. I can troll all day with mine without draining the batterys and the boat drives itself leaving you to just worrying about fishing!!![fishin]
[signature]
I did order the 24V System, Minnkota Terrova 80pd with the Ipilot ....
So are you saying with this trolling motor, I really don't need the kicker motor?
[signature]
I would say with that setup you will like it way better than a kicker, I have a 17' boat with the 24 volt 80 and I can troll all day with no power issues, I also have a trolling plate and can fire up the big motor and troll into the wind and use the I-Pilot with the wind but have never had to.
Try it before you buy a kicker unless you are going offshore, then it is a no brainer to have a backup.
Also there is no smoke or noise makes for a very nice trip, plus it's just like having a buddy along driving the boat.
[signature]
I would not buy a kicker motor with the package you have . I didn't know you had that great electric motor .
[signature]
[quote curt69]I would not buy a kicker motor with the package you have . I didn't know you had that great electric motor .[/quote]
X2
Get yourself a Merc Monitor (Smart Craft Gauges) installed so you can use Troll Control when trolling into the wind.
I have a 2007 Lund Alaskan SC 1800 with a Merc 75HP 4S that I had the ECU reflasshed to a 115HP. I installed a Merc Monitor in the dash that lets me troll the big motor down to 550 RPM. Normal idle RPM's are 720. I use the big motor with Troll Control when ever I want to troll into the wind. With this set up I never touch the throttle while trolling. I can increase my speed by 10 RPM's at a time while using the Troll Control feature with the push of a button until I reach the speed I want. I also have the Terrova 80 I-Pilot on the bow that is awesome for trolling for Kokanee.
With this set up there is no need to hang another 125# of weight off your transom. If the Mercury 150 4S has the Troll Control feature through your Smart Craft gauges this is the way I would go. Trust me you will not be disappointed.
[signature]
If you have the money to afford a kicker, it's a no brainer. Buy one.
Here's the thing most people don't consider. What did that shiny new Merc 4 stroke set you back? $12k? A new kicker can be had for $2500-3500. Why would you want to log all of those trolling hours on your big motor? The wear and tear/hours logged trolling will cost you more than a kicker down the road.
Another thing to consider. With a kicker, you can troll all day long if you want. That Terrova would be lucky to go a half day or less if it's trying to fight a wind. Maybe as little as a couple hours. I have that exact same trolling motor. If I'm pushing my boat into a steady wind/waves, the battery starts to drop quick. These 18-19' rigs are heavy. Having dead batteries is a major buzzkill when the bite is on.
As others have stated, it's also piece of mind if you ever have issues with the main motor. (hit a rock, tree, wont start, etc) Also, if your cranking battery goes dead, most kickers have a pull cord.
Lastly, if you get a kicker, I would strongly recommend a tiller handle, with power trim/electric start. The tiller steering makes boat control and following a contour much easier. Changing directions is quick and effortless. When a tie bar is used to the big motor, sawing on that steering wheel all day in wind gets old. There is a reason 95% of the best walleye fisherman/pros run a tiller kicker.
[signature]